Jackie's Journey "Virtue??"

Ever wonder what that word means?  There’s a lot of talk out there regarding the desperate need for it in our present culture.  Can you give me a pragmatic definition for biblical virtue?  How would we go about building virtue into our princes and princesses?  And, by the way…

Are you a virtuous woman? Proverbs 31

We have been given everything we need to live a godly life.  There are no excuses for not living a life of moral excellence.  “For this very reason, we are to make every effort to add to our faith, moral excellence; and to moral excellence, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 

For IF you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  II Pet. 1: 3-9

There are 30-31 days in a month; just enough time to read a Proverb a day (written by the wisest man who has ever lived!) and finish the book each month.  If you prayed the 31 virtues (that I am about to share with you) along with the Proverb of the day, into the life of your child…just one each day…you would be well on your way to seeing God’s will placed into the heart of your child and a clearer understanding of your own position and calling as a parent.  Part of virtue is learning to build personal moral standards into your life, which will cause others to desire a more godly life.

Let’s take a look at a few…

1.     Salvation.  “Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” (Isa. 45:8; 2 Tim. 2:10)

2.     Growth in grace. “I pray that my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. (2 Pet. 3:18)

3.     Love.  “Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who dwells in them.” (Gal. 5:25; Eph. 5: 2)

4.      Honesty and Integrity. “May integrity and honesty be their virtue and protection”.  (Ps. 25: 21)

5.     Self-Control. “Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be alert and self-controlled in all they do.” (I Thess. 5: 6)

6.     Love for God’s Word. “May my children grow to find Your Word more precious than much more pure gold and sweeter than honey from the comb.” (Ps. 19: 10)

7.     Justice. “God, help my children to love justice as You do and act justly in all they do.” (Psa. 11:7, Mic. 6:8)

8.     Mercy. “May my children always be merciful, just as their Father is merciful”(Lk. 6: 36)

9.     Respect (for self, others, authority). “Father, grant that my children may show proper respect to everyone, as your Word commands.”  (I Pet. 2: 17)

10. Biblical self-esteem.  “Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus.”  (Eph. 2: 10)

11. Faithfulness.  “Let love and faithfulness never leave my children, but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts.” (Prov. 3: 3)

12. Courage.  “May my children always be strong and courageous in their character and in their actions.”  (Dt. 31: 6)

13. Purity.  “Create in them a pure heart, O God, and let that purity of heart be shown in their actions. (Psa. 51: 10)

14. Kindness.  “Lord, may my children always be kind to each other and to everyone else.”  (I Thess. 5: 15

15. Generosity.  “Grant that my children may be generous and willing to share, and so lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age.” (I Tim. 6: 18-19)

“There is but one virtue…the eternal sacrifice of self.”  Henry George

All the virtuous character qualities in the world can be summed up in the truth of that one statement…dedicated deference living for the benefit of others.  It would make us all declarers of truth, servants, teachers, exhorters, givers and bearers of one another’s burdens.  The body of Christ would function.  The home would be filled with God.

Our children would rise up and call us blessed.  Harmony would rule!

Who doesn’t want that?

 Please look for the remaining 15 Virtues next Monday…I’ll see you then.

~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America.  Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California.  My passion is discipling and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights. 

Dedicated to Inconvenience

I rush to put my shoes on as I am yelling to my children, “Hurry up!  Get your shoes on and meet me in the car!” I grab my purse, turn off a couple of lights and fly down the stairs.  Thinking to myself, We are so late! If we hurry we will just make it. . .

As I round the corner, I stumble upon my youngest sitting at the bottom of the stairs crying.  Big crocodile tears stream down his face.  He is half dressed and no shoes to be found. Oh no, I don’t have time for this. I gave the kids ample time to get ready . . . 

My first instinct is to speak sternly and explain to him loudly that he has to get in the car, right now, or we will be late.  Where are your shoes? Why aren’t you dressed?

A small voice barely audible over my own selfish expectations says, Slow down!  Be patient! Extend grace!

AHHHHH! I don’t have time for this!

Truth is a person and He reminds me. Who are you dedicated to? Who do you follow?  What is the right response?

Early on in my Christian walk, I learned the phrase “Being dedicated to Inconvenience”.  In other words, it is a practical way to live out the Biblical principle “To die to Oneself”.  This principle was much easier as a single woman.  I have struggled ever since I got married and have had children.  Mostly because the inconveniences come more often and they are right in my face, daily.

The disruptions in my day may look like . . .

A daughter who wants Mommy to come play house when I am busy doing housework

A son who wants me to throw the baseball when I am working on the computer

A husband who asks to talk (or other things) when I am tired in the evening

A child who wakes me in the middle of the night because they had a bad dream

A friend who reaches out for help when my schedule is full

An argument between my kids right when we are leaving to go somewhere

A need at church when we already have plans to do something else

Inconveniences arrive in all shapes and sizes.  They are as different for each of us as the days are long.  But I promise you one thing, they will happen.

As we are on a path towards Easter, I am reflecting on this verse.

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it."  Luke 9:23-24

Jesus calls us to die to ourselves, if we are his followers.  For me, this death to self looks a lot like “dedication to inconveniences”.  If I am committed to drop my own agenda, for others, daily, then this is an active way for me to die to myself.  If I stop and spend time with my husband, meet my children’s needs at my expense and serve others in my sphere of influence, then I am “taking up the cross” on a regular basis. 

I love our new book, A Royal Easter Story, as it is a perfect example of this principle of “Being Dedicated to Inconvenience”.  The princesses are racing the newly-introduced knights.  The girls desperately want to win (just like our kids do!) They happen upon a lost little girl who needs their help.  They have to abandon their own plans to serve Alina.  They have to be “dedicated to the inconvenience” God allows in their life.  This is not only a lesson for us, but also for our kids during Easter!

Here is where I struggle.  I am selfish.  I have so many thoughts about me daily.  I don’t like to be interrupted in my plans.  Do you feel the same way? 

I love the small still voice of the Holy Spirit reminding me daily where I can “take up my cross and follow Him”.  I just need to strain to listen to it and not allow the loud voices of selfishness to drown out His voice!

How are you taking up your cross daily?

What is a story of inconvenience in your life?

~Jeanna Young

When Jeanna is not writing, speaking, event planning, or homeschooling, she can be found scrapbooking her life, redecorating her home, loving on her husband, planning fun events for her kids or eating healthy to stay cancer-free!